By Jon Weisman
After retiring only seven batters in the Dodgers’ 18-9 victory today at Cincinnati, Scott Kazmir is scheduled to see a doctor on Tuesday, though the initial report of an MRI, as Cody Pace of MLB.com described, has been revised.
“Scott is fighting some physical things with his body,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s doing what he can, but when your body doesn’t feel right, mechanically, it affects mechanics. He knows he wants to go out there and go deeper in a game. When you’ve got a 6-1 lead, he wants the decision, for himself, for the team. When you’re physically limited and you can’t execute, he’s frustrated.”
Kazmir is dealing with some stiffness in his neck and his back, something he said that he’s been dealing with “for years.” The problem with his neck in particular has messed with Kazmir’s mechanics, not allowing him to get his head toward the catcher properly and resulting in him flying open. …
… “No matter what happens, we’ve gotten this far,” Kazmir said. “I know how my body works. If we have some type of imaging, whatever happens, I’ll strengthen it up and I’ll continue to do what I do.”
Kazmir’s next start would theoretically be Saturday against the Cubs. Between now and then, about the only sure thing for the Dodgers is that Kenta Maeda will take the mound Tuesday against the Giants. Rich Hill remains on track to start Wednesday, and then the bigger question marks arise.
Thursday would be Brett Anderson’s turn, but the Dodgers have Ross Stripling traveling with the team — though not officially recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City — in case Anderson (who played catch with Clayton Kershaw today) needs to go on the disabled list with a blister on his left index finger.
Another candidate for that start would be Bud Norris, who pitched in relief on his throw day in today’s slugfest, after an abbreviated start August 19. Norris himself showed signs of back tightness.
“After a couple throws, I saw a little wincing and it didn’t seem right,” Roberts said, according to Pace. “I didn’t see the warmups, and when I saw him get out there, something just didn’t look right. So his back was tight. I would think that he’d be fine and I didn’t want to extend him anymore.”
Lurking in the minor leagues are Brock Stewart and Jose De Leon. In August, Stewart has eight scoreless innings for Oklahoma City, while De Leon took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his start tonight and struck out 10.
In his past five starts, De Leon has pitched 34 innings with a 1.59 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and four walks and 33 strikeouts. To promote De Leon, the Dodgers would need to make a 40-man roster move — which is possible, but must take into account anyone they hope to add to activate from the 60-day disabled list between now and the end of the season.
jpc40
Kazmir, Norris and Anderson- a strong i,2,3 that would have us out of the playoffs in record time. Oh. let’s not forget McCarthy, another who can’t seem to reach the 4th inning when he is able to walk to the mound
Maybe we can recall/reclaim Bolsinger-another winner
Could those five pitch Okla City out of the cellar in the AAA?
Is there a problem with front office prowess/expertise in evaluating pitchers? Maybe they are using the same techniques/judgment skills as in acquiring Reddick
Maybe it’s good college and pro football are just about upon us also now that the Olympics are over
Tim Bower
Sorry to fact check you but OKC is not in the cellar. They have the third best record in the PCL.
T.A. Barnhart
is Maeda-san the only pitcher we’ve had this year we can count on? how come he’s been able to pitch well & not end up on the DL immediately? i’m pretty sure this pitching staff is under some curse: pitch well, get injured, buh-bye. it’s been bizarre.
jpc40
Re my Fact Checker, I did not mean to imply that OK City was in the cellar but that they would be if those were their starting five pitchers
Jon Weisman
Forgive me for stating the obvious, but the Dodgers aren’t in the cellar either.
I’m pretty sure you could cherry-pick players from any MLB team, from the Cubs on down, that are struggling or injured, and say that if those were their only guys, they’d be lost. What’s the point? Do Maeda, Blanton, Grandal, Utley, Thompson, etc. not count?
I mean, goodness, the team is in first place, and you’re already talking about football season. No team — not even Chicago — is guaranteed a title. So maybe try to enjoy things a little bit.